Signals are 'nearly 50 years old'

THE track and signal work will transform the 1960s layout of the lines approaching Nottingham Station.

It will also speed up services as trains will no longer have to wait outside the station for other trains using the platforms.

A seventh platform will be created to boost capacity.

Mr Horne said: "We are working with signalling that is nearly 50 years old. This time last year, we had days when the signalling failed and we would be unable to run trains for two or three hours in or out of Nottingham Station.

"We cannot keep this 1960s equipment going any more. It has to be replaced."

A section of track at the Mansfield Junction, west of the station, will also be improved. At the moment, the track splits to take trains to and from Derby and London in one direction and other services to and from Mansfield and Sheffield.

Mr Horne said: "There's a 30mph limit around the junction at the moment. The two lines will be separated so trains can approach at 50mph."

This, as well as other work Network Rail is doing to the line further south to increase maximum speeds from 110mph to 125mph, will mean train journeys between Nottingham and London will be five minutes shorter."

As a result, passengers could reach the capital in 94 minutes on some East Midlands Trains from December.